Now CBS is picking us to have a bad season, I disagree.

Without Dream, Rockets season might be a nightmare

Oct. 20, 2001
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor
Tell Mike your opinion!






These are not the Houston Rockets your father knew or your older brother did,
for that matter.

But as this 21st-century version of the Rockets attempts to overcome the first
back-to-back trip to the lottery in a generation, this isn't the team coach Rudy
Tomjanovich expected on the floor, either.

"There are some changes on our team," Tomjanovich said this week. "The big
change, especially for me, it's the first time since I've been here that in my
opening remarks to the team that Hakeem Olajuwon wasn't there."

That was by choice, essentially on both ends.
The 38-year-old superstar center, whom the
Rockets had decided to put out to pasture,
agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to Toronto for a
draft choice.

That was odd, if not surprising, that his
career-long commitment would end in such a
fashion considering Houston has been his only
home since coming to the United States from
Lagos, Nigeria, to attend college at the University
of Houston. Then, he was picked first overall in
1984 NBA Draft by the Rockets, and had been
there ever since.

Until now.

The Rockets wanted to bring him back in a lesser capacity. He wanted to
remain a big part of their offense. It was an amicable divorce at best.

"I knew that one day that would happen," Tomjanovich said. "I was just hoping
that it wouldn't happen this year. But I do understand the situation and he has
moved on to Toronto where he feels that he has a chance to get to the Finals,
and I wish him nothing but luck."

Ah yes, luck. There hasn't exactly been an abundance of it in Rocketland
these days.

Shortly after Olajuwon was dealt, young power forward Maurice Taylor tore his
Achilles' tendon and is out for the year. After much consternation, the
Rockets decided to use the exception approved by the NBA over Taylor's
misfortune to sign Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Marc Jackson
to a $24.7 million offer sheet.

It was a logical move considering Jackson is a 6-10 wide-body with a fine
shooting touch and good rebounding ability. The Warriors already had young
centers Adonal Foyle and Erick Dampier on the roster, so it appeared
inevitable somebody had to go, and they hadn't spoken to Jackson all
summer.

Then last week, Jackson was shocked to find out the Warriors would match
the offer.

"This is really unfortunate," Tomjanovich said. "We still need another body up
front."

Still, Rudy T seems happy with the progress of 6-foot-10 rookie Eddie Griffin,
for whom the Rockets traded three first round picks to New Jersey. He's
young and raw, but immensely gifted around the basket on both ends of the
floor. He also likes what he sees out of another 6-10 rookie, Terence Morris, a
second round pick out of Maryland who was highly-regarded as a junior and
had a horrible senior year.

But there remain the foot and Achilles' tendon problems of aging Glen Rice,
acquired from New York for Shandon Anderson. Young star guards Cuttino
Mobley and Steve Francis have yet to play together in a preseason game with
more minor maladies, too.

Inevitably, this season could turn into more than just the loss of a Dream, but
turn into a nightmare.

Injuries and the disappointment of not acquiring Jackson are serious issues,
but Tomjanovich remains in rebuilding mode. The backcourt should be fine
with budding stars Francis and Mobley, guard Oscar Torres, who has been a
surprise contributor so far this preseason, and veteran backup Moochie Norris
rounding out the unit.

Up front, there could be some progress to be seen. The addition of Griffin and
the continuing development of power forward Kenny Thomas are encouraging.
But they need to get at least one of their disappointing young centers, Kelvin
Cato and Jason Collier, healthy and productive.

"I do have a younger team," Tomjanovich added. "But I think it's a team that is
moving in the right direction, and I'm really excited about the upcoming
season."

Yeah, he says that now. We'll see how he feels about it three months from
now.

 

Personally I feel the Rockets will surprise alot of teams and have a great season. I really think that at some point in the season, Griffin will be in the starting lineup and will be a legitimate force at the power forward position. I like Kenny Thomas alot, and love his aggresiveness and activity, but at the same time it get's him into foul trouble alot. Now I noticed last night how Griffin got a block or two, mainly on Robinson, but he made Robinson and Duncan change their shots a couple of times and if he can do that then we are in great shape because we've been missing that type of presence for a long time.